Burning The Ground Exclusive
There are songs that define a moment, and then there are songs that feel like an entire movie packed into four minutes. “When The Rain Begins To Fall” lands firmly in the second category. Big, dramatic, and completely committed to its sound, it’s one of those tracks that instantly transports you back to the mid-80s.
Released in October 1984, this duet between Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora was recorded for the soundtrack to the cult sci-fi musical Voyage of the Rock Aliens. Zadora starred in the film, and the song is featured right at the beginning, doubling as the official music video. It sets the tone immediately, glossy, theatrical, and just a little bit surreal.
The song was written by Peggy March, Michael Bradley, and Steve Wittmack. Musically, it leans into that polished mid-80s pop sound, driven by synths, a strong rhythmic pulse, and a soaring chorus. The contrast between Jermaine’s smooth delivery and Zadora’s more dramatic vocal style gives the track its unique character. It shouldn’t work as well as it does, but that tension is exactly what makes it memorable.
Chart-wise, the single had a split story. In the United States it reached No. 54, and in the UK it peaked at No. 68. But across mainland Europe, it was a major hit. The song went to No. 1 in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, and reached the Top 10 in Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. It also earned Gold certification in Germany and Platinum in France, making it one of the biggest international successes for both artists.
Because of that momentum, “When The Rain Begins To Fall” was added to later pressings of Jermaine’s 1984 album Jermaine Jackson. In the United States, the album carried that self-titled name, while in the UK and Europe it was released as Dynamite. Including the single helped strengthen the album’s appeal in markets where the song was already a proven hit.
What really makes this track endure is its sense of scale. Everything about it feels larger than life. The arrangement builds with purpose, the chorus hits hard, and the whole production has that cinematic quality that was so popular at the time. It doesn’t hold back, and that’s exactly why it works.
For anyone who remembers it from the charts, the film, or a well-worn 12-inch, “When The Rain Begins To Fall” is a perfect snapshot of 1984. A little bit pop, a little bit movie magic, and completely unforgettable.
SIDE A:
Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora – When The Rain Begins To Fall (Vocal Version With Breakdown) 5:24
Producer – Jack White
Remix – Lonnie Simons*
Written-By – Michael Bradley, Peggy March, Steve Wittmack
SIDE B:
Jermaine Jackson – Come To Me (One Way Or Another) 5:15
Executive-Producer – Clive Davis
Written-By – Jermaine Jackson
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart Performance – Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora: When The Rain Begins To Fall (1985) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 63 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 1 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 42 |
| France (SNEP) | 1 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 1 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 15 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 1 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 68 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 54 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 61 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 22 |
| West Germany (GfK) | 1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Arista – AD1-9317
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop
NOTES:
Side B: Taken from the album Jermaine Jackson
Pia Zadora appears courtesy of MCA/Curb Records
Printed in USA
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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